Question

Which info should be included when you are teaching your pt about the use of nicotine gum?

a) The gum must be correctly chewed to a softened state and then placed in the buccal mucosa.
b) Pt's should not eat for 30min prior to or during the use of the gum.
c) Initially, one piece is chewed every 30min while awake.
d) Acidic foods and beverages should be encouraged during nicotine therapy.

Answer 1

When educating a patient on nicotine gum use, instruct them to chew the gum properly, place it in their mouth's buccal area, avoid eating or drinking 30 minutes before and during use, chew one piece every one to two hours, and avoid acidic foods and beverages which can affect nicotine absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching your patient about the use of nicotine gum, it is important to include specific instructions to ensure that the therapy is both safe and effective. The patient should be informed that:

• The gum needs to be chewed correctly until it is softened and then placed between the gum and cheek, in the buccal mucosa.
• Patients should avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes prior to and during the use of the gum.
• Initially, it is recommended that one piece of gum is chewed every one to two hours, not every 30 minutes, to manage cravings.
• Acidic foods and beverages can interfere with the absorption of nicotine from the gum and should be avoided during the use of nicotine replacement therapy.

It is also crucial to discuss the goal of nicotine gum, which is to reduce withdrawal symptoms and ultimately, assist in the cessation of smoking. It is important to highlight that while nicotine replacement therapy can be helpful as a temporary measure, the rates of long-term cessation need to be improved as many individuals return to smoking after the cessation of nicotine replacement therapy.